akathisia

/ak·a·this·ia/ (ak″ah-thĭ´zhah) a condition marked by motor restlessness, ranging from anxiety to inability to lie or sit quietly or to sleep, a common extrapyramidal side effect of neuroleptic drugs.

akathisia

[ak′əthē′zhə]

Etymology: Gk, a + kathizein, not to sit

a pathological condition characterized by restlessness and agitation, such as an inability to sit still. akathisiac,adj.

akathisia

(1) Restless leg syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease (jimmy legs).(2) Motor restlessness ranging from a sense of inner restlessness to inability to sit or lie still, fidgeting, rocking from foot to foot and pacing, accompanied by a sensation of muscular quivering and an urge to stay in constant motion.

AetiologyAkathisia is a common extrapyramidal effect of neuroleptic and antipsychotic drug therapy. Symptoms can develop within a few weeks of starting or raising the dose of traditional neuroleptic medications or of reducing the dose of drugs used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms.

akathisia

Antsiness Neurology Motor restlessness ranging from a feeling of inner disquiet to inability to sit still or lie quietly, accompanied by a sensation of muscular quivering, and an urge to be in constant motion, a common extrapyramidal effect of neuroleptics/antipsychotics. See Extrapyramidal syndrome.

a·ka·thi·sia

(ak-ă-thiz'ē-ă)

A syndrome characterized by an inability to remain in a sitting posture, with motor restlessness and a feeling of muscular quivering; may appear as a side effect of antipsychotic and neuroleptic medication.

[G. a- priv. + kathisis, a sitting]

akathisia

The inability to sit quietly because of uncontrollable movements caused by drugs, especially the phenothiazine derivatives (see PHENOTHIAZINE DRUGS) used to treat mental disorders.

Akathisia

Agitated or restless movement, usually affecting the legs and accompanied by a sense of discomfort. It is a common side effect of neuroleptic medications.

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